Lumberton mayor pleads not guilty to child endangerment, abuse charges

LUMBERTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- The mayor of Lumberton, New Jersey appeared in court on Monday following her indictment last week.

Mayor Gina LaPlaca, 46, entered a not guilty plea, just days after a grand jury approved charges of child endangerment and child abuse.

LaPlaca was arrested last March after she allegedly admitted to drinking, then picking up her two-year-old child from day care.

Officers say they found an open container in the car.

READ MORE | New bodycam video shows response to NJ mayor's alleged DUI

Body camera video showed officers responding to her home before the arrest on charges of driving under the influence.

LaPlaca, who has refused to resign, was elected to the township committee in 2020 and re-elected in 2023.

Her next court date was set for February.